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Neve Gallus was nervous as she entered the pub. It annoyed her actually. She spent a little more time than she cared on her makeup, and trying to decide what to wear. It all felt ridiculous to her. She really hated the way her heart fluttered when she saw Rook waiting for her. She knew nothing about this woman, other than she was a firefighter and probably absolutely insane.
They met a week ago when a case Neve was working went sideways fast. The long short of it, she ended up stranded in the top floor of a burning building, and Rook, heroically or stupidly—depended on who you asked, saved her life.
Truth be told, it was the single most terrifying moment of her life, including when she lost part of her leg. Rook burst in, smashed through walls and jumped 6 stories into the river below—Neve in tow, with little regard to the danger or consequences. In retrospect, Neve supposed it was better than being burned to death, but it was still terrifying.
“Detective Gallus.” Rook grinned as Neve approached.
Neve noticed the way Rook stood and pulled the chair out for her. Neve returned the smile and sat down.
“Sorry if I kept you waiting.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m used to it.”
“Used to what?”
“Waiting on a woman.”
Never raised her eyebrow. “Oh really?”
Rook chuckled, it was light airy laugh. “I took the liberty of ordering you a beer. I hope that’s ok.”
“I don’t mind.”
“How are you feeling after our impromptu little dive?”
“Thanks to you I’m alive, so all in all I’d say not bad.”
“You’re welcome.”
Neve could see the mischievous twinkle in Rooks grey-blue eyes.
“I didn’t say thank you.”
“That’s not what you’re here for?” Rook teased.
“I’m here for the beer.” Neve deadpanned.
“We’ll see.” Rook winked as she brought the mug to her lips and took a long drink.
Neve definitely wasn’t looking at Rooks biceps or forearms. She definitely wasn’t thinking about how easily the firefighter picked her up and jumped out of the building. She definitely wasn’t thinking about any of that.
“You’re awfully confident.”
“I am.”
“Does this usually work for you?”
“I’ll let you know later.”
“Well that’s—something.”
“Be careful detective. Rook said playfully. “You just might fall in love with me.”
Neve took a sip of the beer Rook ordered and was pleasantly surprised with the taste.
“Neve. Call me Neve.”
“I’m still Rook.”
“That is not what your mother named you.”
“Grier.” Rook gave up.
“How did you get the nickname?”
“I was told I had a tendency to think in straight lines.”
“That makes sense.” Neve smiled. “Your last name?”
“Mercar.”
“Oh.” Neve said surprised. “That really is something. Your whole family has been in the business of protecting this city one way or the other.”
“Long line of Cops and Firefighters.” Rook confirmed.
“Are the rest of you this charming? Or is it just you.”
“Well, that depends on who you ask.”
“I’m asking you.”
“Then no.” Rook chuckled. “I am the most charming of them all.”
“So you say.” Neve said as she took another sip of beer.
“I’d say it’s working.”
“Is it?”
“Yes.”
“How would you know.”
“I can see the way you’re gripping the armrest of that chair as if your life depends on it. I’m willing to bet if I switched seats and sat next to you—“
“Why don’t you?” Neve interrupted. She felt bold. “Come sit next to me.”
Neve wasn’t the least bit surprised when Rook stood up and moved to the seat next to her. What surprised Neve was when she pulled Neve’s chair to face hers and pulled Neve closer where she was positioned in between Rooks legs.
“You have my undivided attention Neve.” Rook said softly.
“Good to know.” Neve practically purred.
Rook signaled the bartender and Neve was surprised when he brought another round of beers and several shots of whiskey.
“Is this ok?” Rook asked.
“I can work with it.”
“I mean we are at an Irish pub after all. Might as well act like it.” Rook shrugged.
“Tell me about yourself. What makes you—you?” Neve asked as she placed a hand on Rooks forearm. She had no idea what the fuck she was doing, but Rook made her want to be reckless.
“What do you wanna know? If I have any secret childhood pain? What my favorite color is?”
“How about we start with your favorite color.”
“Brown. Like your eyes.” Rook answered without skipping a beat.
Neve picked up a shot and downed it. Rook followed.
“You’re trouble.”
“The good kind.”
“We’ll see…”
“I don’t play games Neve.”
“This isn’t a game?”
“No. I see something I want and I go after it.”
“You don’t even know me.”
“I will…and you’ll know me.”
“This is crazy.”
“Absolutely. Bat shit crazy, but that’s when I do my best work.”
Neve looked directly into Rooks eyes, she saw nothing but truth. Rook wasn’t playing games. Rook was looking for something.
“You have my attention Rook.”
They drank and talked, lingering touches and glances mixed in. Neve couldn’t remember ever feeling so comfortable with anyone. Rook was full of life and endearingly honest and direct. Neve thought Rook was really sweet, and it was a very genuine sweetness. She felt safe, and it was as if she’d know the Firefighter her whole life. It was comfortable.
It was her eyes. Neve found herself drowning in their depths. Rook was so expressive and kind and so very aware. Neve felt seen. Rook wanted to know all about Neve’s life, her work, everything—and she soaked up every detail like it was gospel.
If Rook was a a religion, it would be something Neve could lose herself in. Wholeheartedly.
They talked until last call and as they walked out onto the street at 2:30 in the morning, Neve was reluctant to part with the Firefighter.
“Walk me home?” Neve asked. I’m not far from here.”
“Of course.” Rook smiled.
Neve wasn’t surprised when Rook grabbed her hand and laced their fingers together.
“This has been nice Rook.” Neve confessed. “Thank you. Thank you for tonight and thank you for saving my life.”
“You don’t have to thank me for that. Any of it really.”
“I do. You showed up right on time.”
“I mean, I usually try to stick to rescuing kittens out of trees and fixing gas leaks, but I guess you had other plans.”
“I’m serious Rook.”
“I know. I just—sometimes we don’t get there quick enough.”
“I guess fate had other plans.” Neve spoke softly.
Rook stopped abruptly and stood directly in front of Neve. Her hands cupped Neve’s cheeks and her eyes held a single question.
“Kiss me Rook.” Neve breathed.
And Rook did. Neve isn’t one to reduce herself to cliches or overused tropes, but kissing Rook was like coming up for air. She felt alive in a way she hadn’t in years.
It was the catcalls that pulled them apart. There was no shame in Rooks eyes, only certainty.
“Lead the way.” Rook rasped.
This time Neve grabbed Rooks hand. She liked the way Rooks hand felt in hers. Soft, yet calloused hands that saved people. Hands that reassured Neve and didn’t let go as they plunged into the water.
“How old are you?” Neve asked as they stopped in front of her apartment.
“I’m 32. You?”
“36.”
“Well…I like my women a little older.” Rook teased.
“You wanna come up?” Neve asked hopefully.
“I do. Very much so, but I’m going to decline this time.”
“Oh?” Neve questioned with a raised eyebrow.
“I want to get to know you. I don’t want a one night stand. I want everything, and I want to go about it the right way.”
Neve couldn’t help but smile at Rooks honesty. It was refreshing and she found it endearing.
“You are just full of surprises.”
“I’m gonna make you fall in love with me Neve Gallus.” Rook grinned.
“Goodnight Grier Mercar.” Neve said softly before kissing Rooks cheek.
She could feel Rooks eyes on her as she walked up the steps and through the door. Neve paused and pulled a pen out of her pocket and wrote her cell number on her palm. She turned around and placed it against the window. Rook didn’t miss a beat as she pulled out her phone and snapped a picture before walking away. Within seconds Neve felt her phone vibrate.
Unknown Number: Try not to miss me too much
She immediately saved it and walked to her apartment with a smile on her face and butterflies in her stomach. Grier Mercar was something, and Neve knew she would be having interesting dreams tonight.
She couldn’t wait.